5 Amazing Plants for Natural Treatment for Cold and Flu

The autumn is here. With the leaves falling down from the trees and the changes in nature, it also comes to the inevitable commercials that “we need to get vaccinated if we want to avoid the flu”.

But do you wonder what are the herbal medicines among the plants that help against the flu? We bring you the best five plants for natural treatment for cold and flu that will save you during the flu season.

Oregano

The healing properties of this plant with an intense fragrance come from the essential oil, due to which it acts as a natural antibiotic, expectorant, it helps in the expansion of the bronchi, inflammation of the sinuses, sore throats, colds and flu. The oil obtained from the leaves of oregano contains the healing ingredient carvacrol, which has amazing antibacterial properties. The oregano oil has a strong effect on the common pathogenic bacteria, such as staphylococci, E coli, and listeria.

Ginseng

A recent study has shown that, in addition to helping the entire human body, the ginseng also helps in the prevention and treatment of the flu. Sang-Moo Kang, from the faculty Georgia in 2014 published a study that found that ginseng helps in the treatment of the flu and respiratory problems, as well as all viruses that attack the lungs.

The ginseng root contains substances that improve the overall condition of the organism, help with inflammatory diseases of the joints, digestive disorders, fatigue, insomnia, they help with anemia, strengthen the immune system and relieve stress. Also, the ginseng increases the activity of white blood cells that fight bacterial and viral infections and it is also an essential medicine in the fight against the flu and other “winter” disease.

Elder

We often make homemade elderberry syrup, but the real effect that it has on your immune system is amazing. It will not only strengthen the immune system, but it will also prevent all flu symptoms. “Journal of International Medical Research” published a study in 2004 which states that “the elder extract (author’s note elderberries) often offer an effective, safe and cheap treatment against the flu”.

Patients who received 15 ml of elderberry syrup four times a day, every day, recovered faster than the patients who received placebo.

Echinacea

The plant, which helps the proper functioning of the immune system, acts effectively as an antiviral agent that helps in the fight against infection and provides the body with the necessary antioxidants, which strengthens the immune system, writes althehealtworks.com. Some studies have shown that if Echinacea is used in combination with vitamin C, the possibility of colds is reduced by 85 percent.

Garlic

The garlic is the best known natural remedy. Besides being a powerful, natural antibiotic it does not destroy our healthy bacteria as the chemical antibiotics do. Thanks to the main constituent volatile oil with allyl, that breaks down into allicin by cutting or pressing, the garlic has antibiotic effect. It slows down the growth of bacteria, and successfully destroys viruses and fungi, and therefore, it is very effective as a remedy against colds and flu.